Numbers 22:21-41
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This is the first week in our series Perplexing Passages. This sermon is called "A Talking Donkey?"
Questions and going deeper resources
Small group questions
Connect Continue (or begin) by praying for your partners in the gospel. You might like to begin by praying daily for each person in your Small Group.
Warm-Up
- Have you ever been confused when reading the Bible? What do you do with perplexing parts of scripture?
- Which is more perplexing: arguing with a talking donkey or seeing an angel with a drawn sword?
Read Numbers 22:1-23
- Why is the King of Moab, Balak, afraid of the Israelites? What is he hoping Balaam will do?
- What do the elders of Moab and Midian take to try to convince Balaam?
- What does God want Balaam to do? What appears to be Balaam’s motivation?
- What is the clue that God was not happy with Balaam’s decision to go with the officials?
- Have you ever prayed to God, whilst hoping he will affirm what you’ve already decided? Why can this be a dangerous way to approach God?
- What situations do you think make it easier to be blind to sin? Have you ever experienced this? What helps you to see with clarity the difference between our desires and God’s desires?
Read Numbers 22:24-35
- Who was able to see the consequence of Balaam’s sin? Why is the donkey an unexpected choice to be God’s messenger?
- What did the donkey do in response to seeing the angel of the Lord? Why was the donkey afraid?
- How did the actions of the donkey save Balaam? How serious was the situation?
- How does this scenario show both God’s judgement on sin and disobedience, and God’s extension of grace? How is Jesus’ death on the cross the ultimate expression of judgement and grace?
- Do you think God can use any messenger he chooses? Who are some other unexpected messengers?
- Does the use of unexpected messengers discredit God’s power and holiness? Why not?
- What are the primary ways today that God guides us? How do you depend on God for his will?
- What does obedience to God look like? Why is it important?
- What can we do when God exposes our sin to us? How can we be assured of God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness?
Apply Is there a situation where you have pre-decided before coming to God? In humility, ask God to reveal any areas of sin that you might not be aware of and give thanks for his forgiveness found in Jesus.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please give us eyes to see and ears to hear your direction in our lives. May we be humble enough to recognise when he’s calling us back, and may we always remain open to his voice, even when it comes from unexpected messengers. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Going deeper resources
On Your Front Line this Week
Send a message or note of encouragement to someone this week.
For Families
- Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org
- Watch: “God’s Story: Balaam” by Crossroads Kids’ Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PaRIJ_hfNo
Listen, Watch, and Read
- Listen: “The Prophet Who Pleased Nobody” by Rupert Higgins:
https://bit.ly/3C3HsL3 - Listen: “The Donkey Speaks” by William Taylor:
https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/50925/ - Listen: “God’s Promised Blessing” by Vaughan Roberts:
https://stebbes.org/sermons/gods-promised-blessing/ - Watch: “Numbers” by the Bible Project:
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/numbers/
Series Resources
- Book: “A Doubter’s Guide to the Bible” by John Dickson (available in the Church library)
- Book: “Reading the Bible for All It’s Worth” by Gordon Fee (available in the Church library)
- Book: “Modern Genre Theory” by Andy Judd
- Watch: “Writing Styles of the Bible & Why They’re Important to Understand” by the Bible Project:
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/literary-styles-bible/
